I'd like to start reading Chögyam Trungpa's books, but I don't know with which one to begin. Is there any logical order I should follow? I've thought I'd start with Illusion's Game: The Life and Teaching of Naropa, because I feel very drawn to Indian Mahamudra Mahasiddhas. Any tips?

Skydancer wrote:I'd like to start reading Chögyam Trungpa's books, but I don't know with which one to begin. Is there any logical order I should follow? I've thought I'd start with Illusion's Game: The Life and Teaching of Naropa, because I feel very drawn to Indian Mahamudra Mahasiddhas. Any tips?

Probably best to start with Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism, the Myth of Freedom and maybe Meditation in Action.

They set out the essential background for his other works.

Edwards: You are a philosopher. Dr Johnson: I have tried too in my time to be a philosopher; but, I don't know how, cheerfulness was always breaking in.

i would vote for "Cutting Through Spiritual Materialism" ! extraordinary book!

Disdaining the lower and unable to grasp the higher,talking of emptiness, such a person will neglect cause and effect,mouthing on about the view while in a state of self-deception.It would be better to concentrate on the gradual path.

Skydancer wrote:I'd like to start reading Chögyam Trungpa's books, but I don't know with which one to begin. Is there any logical order I should follow? I've thought I'd start with Illusion's Game: The Life and Teaching of Naropa, because I feel very drawn to Indian Mahamudra Mahasiddhas. Any tips?

That's a good one. No reason not to start there. Myth of Freedom & Cutting Through get recommended quite a lot because they are very good books indeed, and still very timely. I liked Illusion's Game, Lion's Roar, and Journey without Goal as well (many of these are available used very inexpensively these days)

I'd second these opinions. "Cutting Through" helped me a lot when I got started. "Myth of Freedom" and "Meditation in Action" were also good.I did find that his later works made less and less sense to me. YMMV, of course.

"Cutting Through" was a real wake-up call when it first appeared, a game-changer for me and a lot of other people. "Myth of Freedom" and "Journey Without Goal" are also quite good, but the impact and influence of "Cutting Through" were profound and it's a sensible place to begin.

Chris

"All the sublime teachings, so profound--to throw away one and then grab yet another will not bear even a single fruit. Persevere, therefore, in simply one."--Dudjom Rinpoche, "Nectar for the Hearts of Fortunate Disciples. Song No. 8"